Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older, originally did not cover dental and vision care. However, in recent years, Medicare has worked to include extra coverage for these important services to help cover preventative care.
Here is how Medicare covers these services and how you can make the most out of them.
Dental Coverage
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care, such as cleanings, fillings, and extractions. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) do offer dental coverage as an added benefit.
Dental coverage may include preventive care, such as cleanings and exams, as well as restorative care, such as fillings and crowns. The cost of dental coverage will vary depending on the plan you choose. Additionally, the amount of annual coverage also varies depending on on your plan.
Vision Coverage
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine vision care, such as eye exams and eyeglasses. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) do offer vision coverage as an added benefit.
Vision coverage may include preventive care, such as eye exams, as well as corrective care, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses. The cost of vision coverage will vary depending on the plan you choose.
Generally, Medicare Advantage plans cover the cost of glasses and frames and give you an allowance for contact lenses.
Medicare Supplement Plans
Although Medicare Supplement plans cover gaps in coverage provided by Original Medicare, these plans do not cover dental and vision in full. Depending on the plan, you may get a percentage of the dental and vision exams covered at a discounted rate.
However, only having a Medicare Supplement plan will not give you dental and vision coverage, so it is recommended that you purchase a standalone dental and vision plan. It is important to note that this will be an additional cost on top of your Medicare Supplement, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Part B premiums.
Can you use a standalone dental and vision plan with Medicare benefits
Many Medicare enrollees may have a standalone dental and vision plan and prefer to use this coverage in addition to their Medicare benefits.
You can obtain a second dental and vision plan even with a Medicare Advantage plan.
Plans available through an employer, Medicaid, or Veterans benefits can be used in addition to your Medicare coverage.
Here are some important points to consider before using your coverage:
- Coordinate Benefits: If you have two dental plans, your Medicare Advantage plan may coordinate with your dental plan to cover certain dental services that the other does not.
- Coverage Limits Vary: Plans may have different coverage limits for the year, so it is important to review your benefits before enrolling
- Cost: Having two dental plans can add up monthly, so reviewing your budget is important
- Enrollment periods: Generally, you can enrollment in a standalone plan is more flexible during the year, but switching Medicare Advantage plans can be more limited.
- Provider Networks: Checking if your provider is in both networks will be important because if they are not, these plans cannot coordinate services. This can affect your costs and access to services.
How to Get Dental and Vision Coverage on Medicare
If you are interested in getting dental and vision coverage on Medicare, you can do the following:
Contact your broker and ask if they offer dental and vision coverage.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans that offer dental and vision coverage to find the plan that is right for you.
Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers dental and vision coverage.